Every one dollar invested in scaling up treatment for depression and anxiety leads to a return of $4 in better health and ability to work, says a new World Health Organisation-led study, a first of its kind.

The study confirms that treatment of depression and anxiety makes sound economic sense too, said Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. Steps need to be taken to make mental health services accessible to all, wherever they live, she added.

Between 1990 and 2013, the number of people suffering from depression/anxiety increased nearly 50 per cent from 416 million to 615 million.

The study calculated treatment costs and health outcomes in 36 low-, middle- and high-income countries for the 15 years from 2016-30. The estimated costs of scaling up treatment, primarily psychosocial counselling and antidepressant medication, amounted to $147 billion. Yet the returns far outweigh the costs. A 5 per cent improvement in labour force participation and productivity is valued at $399 billion, and improved health adds another $310 billion in returns.

Current investment in mental health services is far lower than what is needed. A WHO survey in 2014 found that governments spend on average 3 per cent of their health budgets on mental health.

“Despite hundreds of millions of people around the world living with mental disorders, mental health has remained in the shadows,” said Jim Yong Kim, President, World Bank Group. “This is not just a public health issue — it’s a development issue. We need to act now because the lost productivity is something the global economy simply cannot afford.”

This week saw events co-hosted by the World Bank and WHO bringing ministers of finance, development agencies, academic experts etc., to discuss putting mental health at the centre of the health and development agenda.

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